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North Wales Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
I stayed at luxury Welsh border hotel used by Ryan Reynolds to see if I'd get A-lister treatment
The moment you enter the grounds at Carden Park Hotel and Spa, you know immediately you've arrived somewhere extraordinary. Nestled amidst acres of verdant landscape, it has a tree-lined driveway accompanied by a meticulously maintained golf green and water features and swans. I even spotted swans. Such a dramatic entrance ensures any worries are left behind well before you reach the main building. It's so exceptional that Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively count it as their favourite spot when visiting Wrexham AFC, the football team he co-owns. The couple can often be seen hosting their celebrity friends at this location. And in such a special place, who can blame them? Located around nine miles from Wrexham, Carden Park boasts 197 exquisite bedrooms (currently undergoing significant refurbishment), including four luxury suites. There's a recently renovated leisure club, two championship golf courses and award-winning eateries such as The Vines, which serves a fine-dining tasting menu. In addition, there's a vineyard and a new £10m spa featuring one of the UK's largest spa gardens, reminiscent of those found in the Maldives or Caribbean islands, reports Wales Online. Following a swift and efficient check-in, we ascended to our room via the lift. During our stay, the ongoing refurbishment was noticeable in the upper corridor, where one side showcased bright, airy spaces with plush new carpeting and modern pale wooden doors, while the other half appeared slightly outdated. Our renovated room, with a view of the sculpture garden at the front, was tastefully decorated in hues of blue, exuding an elegant yet cosy feel. The room boasted floor-to-ceiling curtains and an ensuite equipped with a spacious walk-in shower. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now It's often the small details that make a difference, and this was evident here. Alongside complimentary teas, coffees, and luxury toiletries, a plate of homemade chocolates accompanied by a welcome note had been thoughtfully placed on the side. We decided to venture out, making Morgan's Bar our first stop. Here, one can savour a drink whilst catching up on sports on the large televisions. There's also a terrace overlooking the front lawn, providing an ideal spot for people-watching. We took our drinks outside before strolling through the grounds, admiring the diverse collection of artwork from renowned sculptors in the sculpture garden and the vineyard - this yields up to 10,000 bottles of Carden Park Estate Reserve sparkling wine annually from two grape varieties. Upon returning indoors, we quickly freshened up before heading to The Vines for our dinner reservation. Prior to their meal, guests can unwind in Goldie's cocktail bar opposite the restaurant, enjoying a drink and some nibbles while perusing the menu. The setting is luxurious yet unpretentious, featuring comfortable chairs and sofas, a stunning golden ornate ceiling, subdued lighting, potted plants, and large windows leading onto a terrace. A pianist playing soothing background music in the corner further enhanced the relaxed atmosphere. After a half-hour of unwinding, we were ushered into The Vines, which exuded a similar ambience to Goldie's. We were guided to a cosy corner where we would be savouring the tasting menu (with meat, fish or vegetarian options available), priced at £105pp, with an optional wine flight for an additional £90pp. The Vines, boasting three AA Rosettes and offering private dining, is helmed by executive chef Graham Tinsley and head chef Harri Williams. It also presents an à la carte menu. Upon being offered a selection of bread (I opted for olive sourdough), we dove straight into the first dish, Confit Carrot. This dish had a delightful little zing courtesy of its Asian dressing, while the miso cracker provided a satisfying crunch. The second course was Chicken Raviolo with Morrel mushrooms, pea salsa, chervil and wild garlic sauce, which was likely my favourite savoury course. The salsa was smooth and silky, and the mushrooms added texture to the dish. Following this was a Crab Tartlet, featuring Japanese seaweed Nori, cucumber, Carden gin, smoked crab emulsion, apple and marigold. Not only was it visually appealing, but it was also light and refreshing. The fourth dish to grace our table was Welsh Hogget, served rare with asparagus, baby gem, black garlic puree, hogget belly bacon, crispy sweetbreads, sheep's yoghurt and a light jus. My partner, not being a lamb enthusiast, opted for the Roasted Monkfish from the fish menu - a choice he declared his favourite of the evening. Accompanied by seared scallop, togarashi cauliflower and spring onion, the fish was tender and bathed in a delightful creamy sauce. Why settle for one dessert when you can indulge in two? That's precisely what we did. The first treat was Raspberry and Amalfi Lemon - a lemon iced parfait with raspberry curd, lemon Madeline and raspberry sorbet, every bit as light and refreshing as it sounds. However, my personal favourite was the Dark Chocolate Mousse, featuring a beetroot sponge, mascarpone, cocoa nib crumb and beetroot sorbet. Yes, you read that correctly - who would have thought this humble earthy vegetable could form the foundation of one of the most delicious puddings I've ever tasted? The pairing with the rich dark chocolate was simply exquisite. For those with a penchant for cheese, there's an optional cheese board available for a £5 supplement or as an extra course for £17, boasting a selection of cheeses, grapes and celery with jam. To round off the meal, you can savour a coffee accompanied by a selection of petit fours, identical to the ones left in our room, which we just about managed to enjoy after all those wonderful courses. Whilst we feasted like royalty - or Hollywood elite - the following morning saw us rise early for the hotel's breakfast, offering both full English and continental options. After a brief respite, we made our way to the spa. Situated in a new building just a stone's throw from the main hotel, the spa (exclusively for those over 18) is truly extraordinary. From lavish interiors to a stunning garden equipped with hot tubs, a pool, relaxation pods and a sauna boasting floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Cheshire countryside, it offers the ultimate relaxation experience. A range of treatments are available, including facials, foot and scalp rituals, and manicures. I opted for the Rejuvenating Ritual (£109 for 50 minutes), which combined a back, neck and shoulder massage with a facial. Pure bliss. Before departing, we savoured lunch in the spa restaurant, which overlooks the gardens and offers a variety of healthy options including all-day brunches, sandwiches and wraps, salads and lighter bites. Every aspect of Carden Park - from the bedrooms to the restaurants and spa - is exceptional, and the staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating. After leaving the resort after our 24-hour stay, we felt relaxed, pampered - and certainly akin to Hollywood royalty. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
I spent a night at the luxury hotel where Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds stay on Wrexham visits
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The minute you drive through the entrance to Carden Park Hotel and Spa you know you're arriving somewhere special. Set in acres of lush grounds, as you wind along the tree-lined driveway with a beautfully manicured golfing green beside you, as well as water features and wildlife (we spotted a swan and her babies), any cares will be relinquished long before you reach the building itself. In fact it's so special that it's a favourite destination for Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively when they visit the football team he co-owns, Wrexham FC - and they can often be seen entertaining their famous friends there too. And why wouldn't they? Carden Park is about nine miles from Wrexham and has 197 stunning bedrooms (currently undergoing a major makeover) including four luxury suites, a newly-refurbished leisure club, two championship golf courses and award-winning restaurants including The Vines which offers a fine-dining tasting menu. There's also a vineyard and a new £10m spa with one of the largest spa gardens in the UK, which wouldn't look out of place in the Maldives or on a Caribbean island. (Image: James Devaney, GC Imagesvia Getty Images) READ MORE:I tried a tiny restaurant overlooking a Welsh beach and discovered the best Asian fusion food for miles After a quick and seemless check-in we took the lift to our room. During our stay the ongoing refurbishment was evident in the upper corridor as one half was light and airy with plush new carpet and contemporary pale wooden doors while the other half was a little dated. Our refurbished room overlooking the sculpture garden at the front was elegant but homely in shades of blue with floor to ceiling curtains and an ensuite featuring a huge walk-in shower. (Image: Carden Park) It's always the little touches that count and as well as the complimentary teas and coffees and luxury toiletries, a little plate had been left on the side with a selection of homemade chocolates and a welcome message. (Image: Karen Price) We decided to explore and our first port of call was Morgan's Bar where you can enjoy a drink and watch sport on the large TVs. There's also a terrance overlooking the front lawn so we took our drinks outside to people watch before having a walk through the grounds, taking in the sculpture garden featuring a diverse collection of artwork from leading sculptors and the vineyard which produces up to 10,000 bottles of Carden Park Estate Reserve sparkling wine each year from the two grape varieties grown. (Image: Karen Price) Back inside we had a quick change before heading to The Vines where we had a reservation. Before their meal, guests can relax in Goldie's cocktail bar opposite the restaurant with a drink and some snacks as they look through the menu. The surroundings are glamorous but not stuffy with comfy chairs and sofas, a beautiful golden ornate ceiling, low lighting, potted plants and large windows opening up onto a terrace. A pianist was playing background music in the corner adding to the chilled vibe. (Image: Carden Park) After about 30 minutes of relaxing, we were called into The Vines, which had a similar atmosphere to Goldie's, and we were shown into a corner seat where we would be enjoying the tasting menu (you can go for meat, fish or vegetarian options), which costs £105pp and you can add a wine flight for £90pp. The Vines, which has three AA Rosettes and is available as a private dining venue, is led by Executive Chef Graham Tinsley and Head Chef Harri Williams and also offers an a la carte menu. (Image: Carden Park) After being offered a choice of bread (olive sourdough for me) it was straight onto the first dish, Confit Carrot which had a lovely little kick thanks to its Asian dressing while the miso cracker added a crunch. The second course was Chicken Raviolo with Morrel mushrooms, pea salsa, chervil and wild garlic sauce, which was probably my favourite savoury course. The salsa was smooth and silky while the mushrooms gave the dish texture. Next up was a Crab Tartlet which also featured Japanese seaweed Nori, cucumber, Carden gin, smoked crab emulsion, apple and marigold. As well as being as pretty as a picture, it was really light and refreshing. (Image: Karen Price) Fourth to arrive was Welsh Hogget served rare with with asparagus, baby gem, black garlic puree, hogget belly bacon, crispy sweetbreads, sheep's yoghurt and a light jus. My partner isn't a fan of lamb but he was able to swap for Roasted Monkfish from the fish menu - which he says was his favourite dish of all. Served with seared scallop, togarashi cauliflower and spring onion, the fish was succulent and covered in a delicious creamy sauce. (Image: Karen Price) Why have one dessert when you can have two and that's what you got here. The first offering was Raspberry and Amalfi Lemon which was a lemon iced parfait with raspberry curd, lemon Madeline and raspberry sorbet and every bit as light and refreshing as it sounds. But my favourite was the Dark Chocolate Mousse which had a beetroot sponge, mascarpone, cocoa nib crumb and beetroot sorbet. Yes you read that right - who would have thought the humble earthy vegetable could be the basis of one of the best puddings I've tasted. The combination with the rich dark chocolate was simply delightful. There is also the option of a cheese board for a £5 supplement or as an additional course for £17 featuring a selection of cheeses, grapes and celery with jam. To finish off, you can enjoy a coffee with a selection of petit fours just like the ones that were left in our room, which we just about managed after all those lovely courses. While we dined like kings - or Hollywood royalty - the next morning we were up early ready to sample the hotel's breakfast, which features full English and continental choices, and after a little breather we headed to the spa. (Image: Carden Park) Housed in a new building a stone's throw from the main hotel, the spa (strictly for over 18s) is quite literally out of this world. From elaborate interiors to a breathtaking garden that features hot tubs, a pool, relaxation pods and a sauna with floor to ceiling windows looking across the Cheshire countryside, this is chilling at its best. There's also a variety of treatments on offer, from facials to foot and scalp rituals and manicures. I chose the Rejuvenating Ritual (£109 for 50 minutes) which combined a back, neck and shoulder massage with a facial. Bliss. Before heading home we enjoyed lunch in the spa restaurant overlooking the gardens which offers a selction of healthy options including all day brunches, sandwiches and wraps, salads and lighter bites. All of the facilities at Carden Park - from the bedrooms to the restaurants and spa - are exceptional and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Leaving the resort after our 24-hour stay we felt relaxed, pampered - and definitely like Hollywood royalty.
